Important information for planning a school visit to Stratford Butterfly Farm

Stratford Butterfly Farm understands it can seem rather daunting planning a school visit as we emerge from the pandemic. This section will hopefully make the decision easier for you to make as to whether you think the butterfly farm is a suitable venue to bring your class.

Information for teachers to help plan a visit.

• Schools visits will be staggered with the visiting public.
• A one way system is in place throughout the butterfly farm including entrance and exit.
• Hand sanitiser is at key points throughout the butterfly farm.
• Visiting schools are requested that if any persons in their school group are feeling unwell, they do not attend the trip. The Butterfly Farm will only invoice for those that attend on the day.
• If any member of the visiting school group has any of the three symptoms of COVID-19 leading up to or on the day of the visit, that member must not attend the school visit to Stratford Butterfly Farm. 
• Enhanced handwashing, cleaning, disinfecting of surfaces and touch points throughout the gift shop and all areas of the butterfly farm including staff areas and toilets will remain in place.
• Butterfly Farm Guides may choose to wear a face covering or visor whilst conducting tours.
• All children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times in all areas of the butterfly farm, with a teacher student ratio of 1:10.
• There is a choice of two tours; Life-Cycle of a Butterfly & Discover the Maya. Both can be tailored to the topic being studied and the age and needs of the group. Both tours include at Meet the Mini-Beast handling session.
• School visits last for one hour. Schools should arrive promptly so that their tour can start on time. Allow for toilet time and jumpers to be put into lockers.If your school is late we cannot guarantee an hour for your visit. If you are running late please call 01789 299288 to let us know.
• The butterfly farm can accomodate more than one class at a time. We offer a tour guide ratio of 1 guide to approx. 30 children. When there is more than one class of children the tours are staggered at 10 minutes intervals from the Education Area.
• On arrival please wait outside the Reception entrance. The lead teacher needs to come in and report to Reception to announce the schools arrival. Your school will then be checked in and numbers confirmed.
• On entry schools must follow the instructions of butterfly farm staff and place their belongings in the allocated lockers only.
• Schools may not re-enter the farm once their allocated time of one hour is up but may use the outside gardens.
• Schools may eat snacks or lunches at the Butterfly Farm. This must be arranged when booking as there is very limited space for lunches in the gazebo and Education Area. They are subject to availability and limited to a maximum of 45 minutes. There are picnic tables in the outdoor gardens, these cannot be booked and are on a first come first served basis. Schools are welcome to bring picnic blankets which may be used in the outside gardens. 
• Children can browse and make purchases in the gift shop. We ask that they sanitise their hands before browsing and that they are supervised by their teachers.
• Schools should depart the butterfly farm in an orderly fashion.
• Schools are responsible for administering first aid to any member of their school party and should bring their own first aid kit. Sick bags are advisable.
• School bookings are available term time Monday to Friday and subject to availability.
• To confirm a school visit a completed booking form should be filled out and returned to schools@butterflyfarm.co.uk.
• Cancellations of a confirmed school visit to be emailed to schools@butterflyfarm.co.uk as soon as you know you are not able to attend.
• Complimentary reccy visits are available for up to 2 adults for booked visits and should be requested by email.
• The butterfly farm risk assessment can be downloaded HERE